Integrated holder and dispenser



Nov. 20, 1956 R. DEWEY INTEGRATED HOLDER AND DISPENSER Filed Dec. 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fivdewAT INVENTOR BY Wham f/Ew/Afl?! ATTORNEYS- Nov. 20 1956 R. DEWEY 2,771,219

INTEGRATED HOLDER AND DISPENSER Filed Dec. 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6% INVENTOR United States Patent INTEGRATED HOLDER AND DISPENSER Roberta L. Dewey, New York, N. Y.

Application December 28, 1954, Serial No. 478,114

1 Claim. (Cl. 222-93) The nature and substance of my invention may be fully understood by consideration of the following disclosure of an embodiment of the invention in a toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispenser. The concept of the invention is characterized by the association of a holder or support of an intriguing form and appearance with a tool or instrument whose use is to be encouraged and is particularly appropriate to the encouragement of the periodic and habitual use by children of toilet implements such as toothbrushes.

In the following disclosure,

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispenser in a vertical arrangement;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispenser in a horizontal arrangement;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispenser;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispenser;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of Fig. 3.

It is well known that children are intrigued by toys, articles, stories, etc. involving some fictional personification of everyday life, such as animals, children, etc., representing some existing thing in their experience. It is equally well known that children are intrigued by devices they themselves can operate and which give some positive result to their action. It is the purpose of this invention to capitalize on these human characteristics to overcome childish reluctances and to inculcate good habits.

Considering Fig. l, a vertical arrangement of an integrated tooth brush holder and toothpaste dispenser, embodying my invention consists of a dispensing member 2, the shape of which is an artistic configuration expressly designed to be pleasing to children, such as the figure of an animal, fictional character, etc., which for the purposes of illustration herein is shown as the head of a dog, with a supporting stem 4 and mounting 6.

The mounting 6 for the stem 4 and the member 2 is shown herein as a suction cup thus allowing the device to be mounted in any convenient place in the bathroom, for example, on the sink, bathtub, etc., but more importantly, so as to allow for mounting within the childs normal reach thereby emphasizing the appeal to the child. However, it should be understood that any other mounting means may be used, such as brackets, countersinks, etc.

The cross-sectional view appearing in Fig. 3 shows an ordinary tube of toothpaste 8 within the hollow stem- 4 which tube of toothpaste is attached to a passageway 10 shown here as a hollow tube of metal, plastic, rubber, etc. The end of the passageway 10 adjacent the tube of toothpaste 8 fits into and is attached to a block or plug 14 in the member 2 immediately adjacent the hollow stem 4. The block or plug 14 has in the lower portion thereof a threaded female coupling 16 for receiving the threaded male portion of the tube of toothpaste 8. Thus 2 a closed continuous passageway is formed for the toothpaste from its container or tube 8 to an orifice 12 in the member 2 which corresponds to the mouth of the animal, figure or artistic configuration, where it discharges for use by the child.

The hollow stem 4 is made of elastic material such as rubber, plastic, etc. Its diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the tube of toothpaste 8 thus allowing the tube of toothpaste 8 to fit within it, and at its upper and lower ends it snugly embraces the cylindrical portions on the member 2 and the mounting 6, respectively.

The child by squeezing the hollow stem 4 forces the toothpaste from its tube or container 8 upward through the passageway 10 to the orifice 12 to be there applied to the toothbrush. The juncture of the hollow stem 4 and the block or plug 14 is the point of separation for the receptacle 2 from such hollow stem 4 thus allowing for insertion of a new tube of toothpaste, when the original has been expended, by merely threading the male portion of the tube of toothpaste 8 into the threaded female coupling 16 of the block or plug 14.

Considering Fig. 3 again, retractable cords are mounted in the upper portion of the member 2 on spring drums 18. The retractable cords 20 pass out of the member 2 through small openings 22 corresponding in position to the ears, for example, of the artistic configuration as can be seen in Fig. 5. Suitable connecting means 24, such as hooks, clasps, etc., are attached to the retractable cords on the outside of the member 2 thus preventing the entire cord from rewinding within the member 2. A toothbrush or other implement may be attached to each hook, clasp or connecting means 24. For example, one hook might carry a toothbrush and another a wash cloth, etc.

Thus the child may pull the toothbrush out from the artistic configuration, apply the toothpaste as already described, brush its teeth, cleanse the toothbrush and let the toothbrush slip from its grasp whereupon it will automatically be returned to its ordinary position beside the artistic configuration as seen in Fig. 1.

Another embodiment of my invention appears in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 wherein the mounting is on a vertical surface rather than the horizontal surface, To facilitate use and conserve space, the artistically designed dispensing member 2 itself, may be of an elastic material, such as rubber, plastic, etc., and the tube of toothpaste 8 mounted within it, thereby allowing the child to compress the member 2, hence the tube of toothpaste 8, forcing the toothpaste through the passageway 10 to the orifice 12 for application to the toothbrush. In this embodiment, the stem 4 is of a rigid substance such as hard rubber, elastic, etc., thereby giving stability to the toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispenser.

While I have shown and described different desirable embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

A device of the type described comprising a dispensing member of artistic configuration, a hollow stem of elastic material attached thereto and designed to receive a compressible tube containing a fluid substance to be dispensed, a plug between the dispensing member and the hollow stem and having a passage therethrough screw threaded at the end adjacent the stem to receive the screw threaded end of the toothpaste tube, a passageway extending through the dispensing member from the passageway in the ping to a discharge orifice in the dispensing member, and one or more r'etracthle cords mounted'within and extending through the wall of said dispensing member and carrying implement connecting means at their ends outside of said: member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Zagst July 31, 1906 Newhouse et a1. July 14, 1914 

